Kick Me!

Last night my youngest son, Elijah (15) came up to me to give me a big hug. Now you have to understand...15 yr. olds don't do this anymore. When he was little he would say, "Mommy, come here, I want to give you a BIG Lijey hug."

So you can imagine my excitement when he randomly came up to hug me.

After, I headed upstairs, pulled out my workout mat to do some floor exercises, I layed down & heard a crunching noise. I turned to look at the mat, nothing. I reached up onto my back & found a paper stuck to me.

What the heck is it?

As I look at it closer, I see the following words-

KICK ME, I'M OLD!

I couldn't help but laugh...but oh my sweet little Lijey is gonna get it!!

I guess I am old...I fell for it.

Transition

On Sunday we got the keys to our new place. We start moving on Thursday and Friday. I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be, but then again, we don't have to be out of our house for a while, which gives us time to move things in slowly.

I'm sure when its time to turn the keys over to the new buyers, it will hit me.

Sometimes I think we get so comfortable in our life, that God comes in and shakes things up.

I'm looking at this as a fresh start. All of the older kids have moved out so we really don't need a big place anymore. Change is always hard but sometimes necessary.

One of my bosses was walking around work the other day saying, "Bloom where you're planted" over & over again. He thought he was being funny...I laughed, but then thought, "How true!"

Cheers to New Beginnings!

Last Minute Christmas

All the Grandkids on my Husbands side.

My Family-They're so grown up!

Me & Jullien (I'm standing on my toes to look taller)

My Hubby & His Sisters

Sister In Law Brigett & her kids

Sister in Law Erika & her kids

Stepdaughter Tashy & Niece Adrianna

Me & my Sister In Laws-I'm liking the Black & White

Anthony's Parents & ALL of us (except Josh-left for work)

Adrianna & my Sister in Law Vivian

Why does it always feel like the older you get the faster the time goes by? Christmas is almost here and I haven't even started shopping! We just barely took Christmas pictures, and got our tree last week, which is still not decorated.

Anthony's family came over to have me take Christmas pictures of everyone. We had it all planned to go down to our normal spot in Corona Del Mar, but Josh had to work and so everyone came over and we just took them at our house. Not the picture perfect area, but we made it work. Luckily my husband has our tropical back yard looking good.

It was quite a fiasco! We were pressed for time because the boys had a basketball game, someone left the door open and our husky got out, ran across a busy street, almost got hit twice. We were all chasing her down yelling and freaking out. We finally got her across the street in a shopping center and some guy started yelling at me to keep her on a leash! I've been working on my mouth so I actually kept my cool and didn't let him have it! PROGRESS...yay!

Every year I make the whole family go together to get the Christmas tree. This is always a big deal for me, I love traditions. They however don't look forward to it. I can't get just any tree, it has to be the perfect tree, a Noble at least 7-8 ft tall and perfectly shaped. This isn't easy to find and can take a few hours! LOL! The kids start getting frustrated with me after the first 30 minutes. Anthony usually has had enough after 15 min. Then it's total drama the whole time...and it happens like this every year...awwwwe traditions!

This year Anthony's kids couldn't make it...which I'm sure didn't upset them too much, but I missed them. I was happy that all three of my boys were able to go. My oldest son Josh even brought his girlfriend. It was different this year, the lot didn't have anything over 6ft., we found the perfect tree after Anthony & the boys lifted and turned them so I could carefully examine them. It only took three trees & 20 minutes...a new record! I wish it was taller though...I know, I know...I'm a freak!

As for shopping...which I can't stand doing under normal circumstance let alone in the holiday rush, I will be out Christmas Eve, this too seems to be a tradition for me. Not one I plan...just me procrastinating!

Life, Kids & Lessons

I was excited to see that one of Jullien's recent photo shoots by photographer David Wang was featured on MODELS.COM (Click Here To Leave a Comment).

When he first was signed with Red Models they put his pictures up and it's cool to see that they are still impressed with him as he continues to grow in his career.

I'm so proud of all my boys...Josh is going to Cosmetology school full time and just passed all his tests and is now getting hands on training in the school's student salon. He is also working part time and paying his way through school by himself. I'm so thankful that he has been able to find something that he enjoys doing. He wants to eventually open up his own Rock n Roll style salon.

Elijah just finished football & had an awesome season. He's feeling a little bored with all the extra time he has on his hands. He didn't want to try out for the school basketball team, he wants to play for the fun recreational league instead. He is just waiting till his second favorite sport starts...Track. He received his first progress report and is getting all A's & 1 B.

I have to laugh...I never thought my two manly, athletic boys would end up in the beauty industry. Life's a funny thing...we come up with all kinds of ideas of what our kids will grow up to be. But all we can really hope for is that they are able to pursue and follow THEIR dreams.

I often thought that I was doing all of the guiding and teaching but as the kids got older I've learned that they are also teaching me life lessons as I grow with them along the way.

Adam's 15th Birthday

Today, 15 years ago, my stepson Adam Bernard Petrarca was born. He came into my life when he was three years old. He was the friendliest little guy out on the football field. His dad coached, his sister was a cheerleader and his brother played flag football. This left a cute, precocious little boy the complete freedom to rome the sidelines.

Never shy, he loved to go around and ask all of the parents for food. He would sit right down on your lap, beam up at you and ask, "Whatcha eating? Can I have some?" No one could resist and so he was always very full by the time his dad finished with practice.

He was always a little monkey...he could climb ANYTHING. If he couldn't be found, we would start running around looking in the trees, on the top of the baseball back stops or anything that was climable. He had no fear and suffered several concussions due to this.

He loves to make people laugh, especially his younger step brother. They were more like twins, becoming brothers when they were 3 and 4. He could entertain everyone for hours with his many faces, noises and crazy antics. He is the life of the party and loves to be the center of attention. You never know what he will do next. Which always brings a constant sense of anticipation whenever he is around.

Adam is our own little comedian and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful and amazing son. Happy Birthday Adam...WE LOVE YOU!